
Best French Toilets (2026)
ToiletsRefined, softly curved one-piece and skirted silhouettes with a polished, Parisian-elegant profile, paired with verified MaP flush scores rather than a stylist's…
Read the guideElongated bowls are about 2 inches longer than round bowls, which translates into a noticeably more comfortable seat for adults. This guide ranks eight top-performing elongated-bowl toilets by MaP flush score, EPA WaterSense status, and aggregated owner satisfaction, so you choose the right model for your bathroom without guessing.
Research updated June 2026.
The TOTO Drake II is the best elongated bowl toilet in 2026. Its Tornado Flush clears a verified 1000 g MaP at just 1.28 GPF, the bowl stays cleaner longer thanks to CeFiONtect glaze, and a comfort-height seat accommodates most adults. The American Standard Cadet 3 is the top budget alternative with the same MaP score.
Elongated bowls measure roughly 18.5 inches from the seat bolt holes to the front rim, compared to about 16.5 inches for round bowls. That 2-inch difference is enough to shift the seating position forward and relieve pressure on the backs of the thighs, which is why elongated shapes dominate primary bathrooms, ADA-compliant installations, and high-traffic commercial restrooms. The tradeoff is a slightly larger footprint, and in small powder rooms or tight half baths under 30 inches in depth, a round-bowl toilet may suit better.
This roundup sits within the broader best flushing toilets guide and focuses specifically on elongated models that deliver both comfort and genuine flush performance. Every toilet here earns at least 800 g on the MaP single-flush test, the minimum where real-world double-flushing becomes rare. Brands covered include TOTO, Kohler, American Standard, Woodbridge, Swiss Madison, and Gerber.
Eight models ranked by flush power, water efficiency, and comfort. MaP is single-flush waste-clearing capacity in grams (higher is stronger). All models except the Champion 4 are EPA WaterSense certified at 1.28 GPF or lower.
| Toilet | Best For | MaP | GPF | Seat Height | Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTO Drake II | Best overall | 1000 g | 1.28 | Comfort (16.5") | 4.7 | Check price |
| American Standard Cadet 3 | Best value | 1000 g | 1.28 | Right Height (16.5") | 4.6 | Check price |
| Kohler Cimarron | Best canister flush | 1000 g | 1.28 | Comfort (16.5") | 4.6 | Check price |
| TOTO UltraMax II | Best one-piece | 1000 g | 1.28 | Comfort (17.25") | 4.8 | Check price |
| American Standard Champion 4 | Widest trapway | 1000 g | 1.6 | Right Height (16.5") | 4.5 | Check price |
| Kohler Highline | Classic two-piece | 800 g | 1.28 | Comfort (16.5") | 4.4 | Check price |
| Woodbridge T-0001 | Best skirted style | 800 g | 1.28 | Comfort (16.5") | 4.5 | Check price |
| Swiss Madison St. Tropez | Best modern one-piece | 800 g | 1.28 | Comfort (16.5") | 4.4 | Check price |
The Drake II earns its reputation through one verifiable fact: it clears 1000 grams of solid waste in a single flush at just 1.28 GPF, the highest possible MaP score at the lowest WaterSense water use, a combination almost no competitor matches in a two-piece elongated package.
TOTO developed the Tornado Flush system specifically for its elongated bowls: two nozzles near the rim generate a centrifugal water flow that spirals down the bowl, covering the full bowl surface without relying on rim holes that clog with mineral deposits. The result is a cleaner bowl with less scrubbing and a flush that consistently moves maximum waste volume on the first pull of the lever. The 3-inch flush valve paired with a fully glazed 2-1/8-inch trapway prevents waste from hanging up at the narrowest point in the drain path.
Owners consistently note that after years of use the bowl stays noticeably cleaner than competitors, and that the flush power holds steady without the gradual decline that afflicts cheaper flush valves. The Drake II is available in both standard 12-inch rough-in and 10-inch or 14-inch rough-in configurations, covering almost every installation scenario. If the seat budget is tight, TOTO's SoftClose seats snap into the seat bolt holes cleanly and are widely available online.
The Drake II occupies a rare position: independently verified maximum flush performance at the water-efficient threshold that qualifies for utility rebates in dozens of states. For a primary bathroom where clog-free reliability matters most, no elongated two-piece toilet has a stronger performance case built on published, reproducible data.
The Cadet 3 achieves the same 1000 g MaP score as the Drake II at 1.28 GPF, carries the EPA WaterSense label, and is regularly available for significantly less than TOTO's flagship, making it the most compelling value argument in the elongated category.
American Standard's Cadet 3 platform has been in production long enough that contractors and plumbers are universally familiar with its installation and any required part replacement. The 2-3/8-inch fully glazed trapway is wider than the industry average, and the siphon-jet flush uses a concentrated water stream aimed directly at the trapway entrance, which generates strong siphonic action that pulls waste through cleanly. In hard water areas, the rim-feed holes are the one maintenance point to watch, but a periodic descaling keeps the flush pattern consistent.
Owner reviews across multiple retailers confirm what the MaP data suggests: double-flushing is genuinely rare. The Cadet 3 includes a toilet seat in most retail packages, reducing the all-in cost advantage versus TOTO even further. For rental properties, primary bathrooms, or any installation where long-term parts availability is a priority, this is a dependable choice with strong flush credentials.
The Cadet 3 is the most practical high-performance elongated toilet for buyers who want MaP-verified 1000 g flushing without the premium that TOTO commands. Its widest-in-class glazed trapway and ubiquitous parts availability make it as appealing for a plumber to recommend as it is for a homeowner to buy.
The Cimarron pairs Kohler's AquaPiston canister flush valve with an elongated comfort-height bowl, delivering a verified 1000 g MaP score at 1.28 GPF while the canister's 360-degree water release produces a notably faster and quieter flush than traditional flapper-based systems.
Kohler's AquaPiston canister lifts straight up when flushed, exposing the full 3.25-inch opening all at once rather than the graduated lift of a flapper hinge. This releases a higher initial surge of water into the bowl, which many owners describe as a snappier, more decisive flush than the slow-building siphon common in flapper toilets. The canister seal is rated for a much longer service life than standard rubber flappers, though replacement requires a Kohler-specific part rather than a generic hardware-store flapper.
The Cimarron is available across a wider range of styles and finishes than TOTO's elongated lineup, which makes it a popular choice when a specific finish like Biscuit or Almond needs to match existing fixtures. Aggregated owner reviews are consistently positive for flush reliability and comfort, and the model has remained in continuous production long enough that online communities have well-documented troubleshooting for any canister seal issues.
The Cimarron's AquaPiston valve is the clearest example of where Kohler's engineering approach differs from TOTO's: instead of optimizing the nozzle pattern inside the bowl, Kohler optimizes the speed and volume of water entering the bowl from the tank. Both approaches achieve 1000 g MaP, but the canister design is mechanically simpler and historically durable.
The TOTO UltraMax II combines the Drake II's Tornado Flush and CeFiONtect glaze into a one-piece elongated body that earns a 1000 g MaP score at 1.28 GPF while eliminating the tank-to-bowl seam that collects grime in two-piece designs.
One-piece toilets are inherently easier to clean because there is no gap between the tank and bowl where a two-piece toilet accumulates moisture, mold, and dust. The UltraMax II takes that advantage further with a fully skirted trapway that closes off the exposed S-curve of the drain path, leaving a flat surface from the floor up. Combined with the rimless Tornado Flush bowl, nearly every external surface is flat and wipeable. This makes it particularly well-suited for primary bathrooms where appearance and hygiene are both priorities.
The 17.25-inch rim height (measured without seat) is meaningfully taller than the 16.5-inch comfort height on the Drake II, which some owners with mobility concerns specifically prefer. The SoftClose toilet seat is sold separately but fits cleanly and adds the slow-close lid that is nearly standard at this price tier. For a comparison of one-piece versus two-piece tradeoffs in more detail, see the one-piece vs. two-piece toilet guide.
The UltraMax II is the logical upgrade from the Drake II when the one-piece skirted design and slightly taller rim height matter. The flush performance is identical, the cleaning advantage is real, and the price premium reflects a legitimate design difference rather than a marketing upsell.
The Champion 4 holds the distinction of the widest trapway available in a standard elongated two-piece toilet, measuring 4 inches at the flush valve and 2-3/8 inches through the trap, while still achieving a verified 1000 g MaP score, though at 1.6 GPF rather than the water-saving 1.28 GPF of WaterSense models.
The Champion 4's defining feature is its oversized 4-inch flush valve, which American Standard markets under the PowerWash name. The wide valve releases a high volume of water simultaneously, and the 2-3/8-inch trapway passes material through the drain with minimal constriction. This makes the Champion 4 particularly well-suited for households with older plumbing, low water pressure, or a history of chronic clogging. The tradeoff is water use: at 1.6 GPF it uses 25 percent more water per flush than a WaterSense 1.28 GPF model.
For most new construction or recent renovation projects where plumbing is properly sloped and water pressure is adequate, the Champion 4's extra water use delivers no measurable clog-resistance advantage over WaterSense models like the Cadet 3 that also achieve 1000 g MaP. But for specific situations, such as a basement bathroom with a long horizontal drain run or an older home with partially scaled pipes, the higher GPF and oversized trapway combination is a legitimate engineering solution. See also our guide to the best toilets for frequent clogs.
The Champion 4 solves a real problem for a specific category of installation, but its 1.6 GPF water use is a concrete cost over years of daily use. Before committing to it, verify whether the clogging history is a fixture problem or a drain-line problem; if the latter, a wider trapway alone will not fix the root cause.
The Kohler Highline is one of the most widely installed toilets in North America, offering a traditional two-piece elongated design with comfort height, EPA WaterSense certification at 1.28 GPF, and an 800 g MaP score that handles typical household use reliably without the premium of the Cimarron's canister valve.
The Highline's Class Five flush is Kohler's traditional siphon-jet system, calibrated for efficiency and noise reduction rather than maximum power. At 800 g MaP it handles the typical household waste load without any issues, and the WaterSense 1.28 GPF rating keeps water bills low. Where it steps back compared to the Cimarron is in the narrower trapway and the use of a standard rubber flapper rather than the AquaPiston canister, which means the flapper will need periodic replacement over the toilet's life.
The Highline's real advantage is ubiquity. Replacement flappers, fill valves, handles, and seats for this model are stocked at every hardware chain in the U.S., and any plumber can service it without special knowledge. For rental properties, secondary bathrooms, or any situation where the lowest total cost of ownership over a decade matters most, the Highline delivers without the complexity or price of the top performers.
The Highline is not the strongest-flushing elongated toilet on this list, but it is arguably the most practical for rental and secondary-bathroom contexts where parts availability and ease of service outweigh the performance gap between 800 g and 1000 g MaP in typical daily use.
The Woodbridge T-0001 delivers a fully skirted one-piece elongated design with a top-mounted dual-flush button at a price point well below TOTO and Kohler one-piece models, achieving 800 g MaP at 1.28 GPF and earning WaterSense certification while offering a contemporary square profile that suits modern bathroom remodels.
Woodbridge fills a genuine market gap: the skirted one-piece elongated toilet at a price point that mainstream buyers can access without the commitment of TOTO or Kohler pricing. The T-0001's dual-flush button sits flush with the top of the tank, which reinforces the clean profile, and the fully skirted sides mean the floor area around the toilet is unobstructed and easier to mop. The included soft-close seat reduces the out-of-box cost versus TOTO's seat-separate approach.
The 800 g MaP score is adequate for most households, though buyers who regularly need to clear heavy waste loads would be better served by the 1000 g MaP models higher on this list. The dual-flush mechanism adds water-saving flexibility, with the 0.8 GPF half-flush appropriate for liquid waste and the 1.28 GPF full flush for solid waste. Owners report a learning curve in distinguishing the two buttons by feel, particularly in low light.
The Woodbridge T-0001 is the right choice when budget and modern aesthetics are both constraints. Its 800 g MaP and WaterSense certification cover standard household needs, and the skirted one-piece design delivers a luxury bathroom appearance without the luxury price of comparable TOTO or Swiss Madison models.
The Swiss Madison St. Tropez offers a slim, European-influenced one-piece elongated profile with a dual-flush push button, WaterSense certification at 1.28 GPF, and an 800 g MaP score in a design that photographs dramatically well and distinguishes itself in modern or minimalist bathroom remodels.
Swiss Madison built its market position around the design aesthetic that most American toilet brands do not offer: slim tanks, clean lines, and finish options like matte black that allow a toilet to serve as a design statement rather than purely functional plumbing. The St. Tropez delivers on this consistently, and the included soft-close seat and supply line make it a more complete out-of-box purchase than many competitors. The 800 g MaP score handles standard household use without issues for most families.
The main practical consideration is parts availability. Swiss Madison uses proprietary flush valve and fill valve internals that are not interchangeable with standard Fluidmaster or Kohler components available at any hardware store. This matters less during the warranty period but becomes relevant over a ten-year ownership horizon. For households in areas with hard water, the flush valve seal should be inspected periodically since scale buildup on non-standard internals can be harder to diagnose and replace than familiar flapper designs.
The St. Tropez earns its place in a design-focused bathroom where standard American toilet profiles look out of character. Its performance credentials are solid for typical use, and the finish options, particularly matte black, are simply not available from TOTO, Kohler, or American Standard in a comparable elongated one-piece format.
An elongated toilet bowl measures approximately 18.5 inches from the seat bolt holes to the front rim, while a round bowl measures approximately 16.5 inches, making elongated bowls about 2 inches longer. The extra length shifts the seating position forward, distributing weight more evenly and reducing pressure on the backs of the thighs, which most adults find more comfortable for extended use. Round bowls fit better in bathrooms with less than 30 inches of clearance in front of the toilet, while elongated bowls suit bathrooms with standard 30 to 36 inches of forward clearance.
Bowl shape itself does not determine flush power; the flush valve size, GPF, trapway width, and flush system design are the engineering variables that determine MaP scores. TOTO Drake II and Kohler Cimarron both earn 1000 g MaP scores in elongated configurations, while many round-bowl versions of the same models achieve identical scores, since the flush mechanics are largely shared between bowl shapes within a model line. Choosing elongated versus round should be driven by bathroom dimensions and seating comfort preference, not expected flush performance.
The ADA requires a toilet seat height between 17 and 19 inches from the finished floor to the top of the seat, which corresponds to a comfort-height or chair-height bowl (typically 16 to 17.5 inches rim height plus a 1-inch seat). Elongated bowls are not inherently ADA compliant or non-compliant; compliance depends on the rim height specification and the installed seat height. Most comfort-height elongated models from TOTO, Kohler, and American Standard fall within the ADA range when paired with a standard 1-inch seat, but always verify the installed height against the 17-to-19-inch ADA requirement for the specific model.
MaP (Maximum Performance) scores run from 250 g to 1000 g, with 1000 g being the maximum a test kit supports. Independent testing by the MaP program found that toilets scoring 500 g or lower had meaningfully higher rates of double-flushing in real-world household use. The practical threshold for clog-free daily use is 800 g, and every model on this list meets or exceeds that floor. The top tier, at 1000 g MaP, includes the TOTO Drake II, TOTO UltraMax II, Kohler Cimarron, American Standard Cadet 3, and American Standard Champion 4, and is the specification to prioritize for heavy-use household bathrooms.
EPA WaterSense certification requires a toilet to flush effectively at 1.28 GPF or less, verified by independent testing. Among the models in this guide, the TOTO Drake II, TOTO UltraMax II, Kohler Cimarron, American Standard Cadet 3, Woodbridge T-0001, Kohler Highline, and Swiss Madison St. Tropez all carry the WaterSense label. The Woodbridge T-0001 and Swiss Madison St. Tropez add a 0.8 GPF half-flush option for liquid waste, reducing average household water use further. The American Standard Champion 4 uses 1.6 GPF and does not qualify for WaterSense certification or most utility rebate programs.
An elongated bowl measures approximately 18.5 inches from the center of the seat bolt holes to the front edge of the rim. This compares to about 16.5 inches for a round bowl. The total front-to-back depth of the toilet from wall to front rim is typically 27 to 30 inches depending on tank depth.
Yes, if the bathroom has at least 30 inches of clearance measured from the wall behind the toilet to any obstruction in front, and if the rough-in (center of drain to wall) matches. The rough-in is typically 12 inches in most U.S. homes. The elongated bowl extends roughly 2 inches further into the room than a round bowl, so measuring forward clearance is the critical step before ordering.
No. Water use per flush (GPF) is determined by the flush system and tank, not the bowl shape. The same TOTO Drake II Tornado Flush system uses 1.28 GPF whether the bowl is elongated or round. Bowl shape affects comfort and footprint, not water consumption.
Comfort height means the toilet rim sits 16 to 17.5 inches from the finished floor, which places the seated hip angle closer to a standard chair position than a standard-height toilet's 15-inch rim. With a typical 1-inch seat added, comfort-height elongated toilets fall within the 17-to-19-inch ADA-required seat height range.
For most seniors, a comfort-height elongated bowl is easier to sit down onto and stand up from compared to a standard-height round bowl. The taller rim reduces the bend angle at the hips and knees. If mobility is significantly impaired, also consider whether grab bars or a raised toilet seat adapter are part of the installation, since bowl shape alone does not fully address accessibility.
If the bathroom has less than 30 inches of clearance from the wall to any obstacle in front of the toilet, a round bowl is generally the better fit. If the space is tight but technically sufficient, compact elongated models such as the TOTO Drake II in its standard footprint are the starting point. Skirted designs like the Woodbridge T-0001 do not reduce the bowl length, only the side trapway exposure.
The original TOTO Drake uses a G-Max siphon-jet flush at 1.6 GPF, while the Drake II uses the Tornado Flush at 1.28 GPF with EPA WaterSense certification. Both achieve 1000 g MaP, but the Drake II is more water-efficient and the Tornado Flush provides a more complete bowl rinse. The Drake II is the current recommended model for new installations. See the TOTO Drake vs Drake II comparison for a detailed breakdown.
Yes. Elongated bowls require elongated seats, and round bowls require round seats. These are not interchangeable. Most elongated toilet models are sold either with or without a seat specified, and seats are labeled as elongated (approximately 18.5 inches long) or round (approximately 16.5 inches long) to match the bowl shape.
A fully glazed trapway means the interior of the S-curve drain channel from the bowl to the drain outlet is coated with the same smooth vitreous china glaze as the bowl surface. The glaze reduces surface friction, which allows waste to slide through with less resistance and reduces the adhesion of mineral deposits and biofilm over time. Partially glazed or unglazed trapways are more common in budget models and are more prone to scale buildup and slow drain performance.
The Maximum Performance (MaP) test is an independent protocol that loads a toilet with a soybean paste medium and records how many grams the toilet clears in a single flush, up to a maximum of 1000 g. Results are published at map-testing.com. The test applies to all toilet shapes equally; an elongated model earns its MaP score based on its flush system mechanics, not its bowl shape. The 1000 g maximum score is achievable by elongated designs from TOTO, Kohler, and American Standard.
The Cimarron uses Kohler's AquaPiston canister flush valve, which earns a 1000 g MaP score at 1.28 GPF. The Highline uses Kohler's Class Five siphon-jet with a standard flapper, scoring 800 g MaP at 1.28 GPF. Both are comfort-height elongated models, but the Cimarron delivers meaningfully stronger flush performance while the Highline offers lower cost and simpler parts replacement. See the Kohler Highline vs Cimarron comparison for full details.
Skirted toilets conceal the trapway with a flat side panel that extends to the floor, which gives a cleaner appearance but can complicate the toilet bolt attachment on some models. Many skirted models use an included mounting bracket that attaches to the floor before the toilet is set, replacing the standard wax ring and bolt system with a more precisely aligned assembly. Installation difficulty is slightly higher than a standard two-piece but within the range of a competent DIY installer following the manufacturer guide.
Yes. The Woodbridge T-0001 includes a soft-close elongated seat and a water supply hose in the standard retail package. This is one of the reasons it competes effectively at its price point against models from Kohler or American Standard that charge separately for comparable seats.
The rough-in is the distance from the finished wall behind the toilet to the center of the drain outlet in the floor. The standard in most U.S. homes is 12 inches. Some older homes have 10-inch rough-ins and some have 14-inch. Most elongated models on this list are available in 12-inch rough-in as standard, with 10-inch and 14-inch variants as optional configurations. Measuring the rough-in before purchasing is essential. For a full guide, see how to measure toilet rough-in.
Yes, if the elongated model is EPA WaterSense certified. WaterSense certification confirms that the toilet flushes at 1.28 GPF or less while meeting minimum performance criteria. Many U.S. water utilities and municipalities offer rebates of 50 to 100 dollars per toilet replaced with a WaterSense-certified model. The TOTO Drake II, UltraMax II, Kohler Cimarron, Kohler Highline, American Standard Cadet 3, Woodbridge T-0001, and Swiss Madison St. Tropez all carry WaterSense certification. The American Standard Champion 4 at 1.6 GPF does not qualify.
For a master bathroom where comfort, aesthetics, and flush performance are all priorities, the TOTO UltraMax II one-piece elongated toilet is the strongest candidate: 1000 g MaP, Tornado Flush, CeFiONtect glaze, and a skirted one-piece body that is the easiest to keep clean. Buyers who want a design statement rather than a performance-first choice can consider the Swiss Madison St. Tropez for its slim European profile and matte finish options. See the best toilet for master bathrooms guide for the full comparison.
Measure from the center of the seat bolt holes at the back of the bowl to the front edge of the rim. A measurement of 18 to 18.5 inches indicates an elongated bowl. A measurement of 16 to 16.5 inches indicates a round bowl. You can also look at the seat: elongated seats have an oval egg shape when viewed from above, while round seats are more circular.
Gerber's strongest elongated offering is the Viper, which uses an EL flush system and achieves 1000 g MaP in its elongated configuration. Gerber is a less widely recognized brand than TOTO or Kohler, but the Viper is frequently spec'd for commercial construction where documented flush performance and a competitive price are the priority. Replacement parts are available through Gerber's distributor network rather than typical hardware store shelves.
A one-piece elongated toilet has the tank and bowl molded as a single vitreous china unit with no seam between them, which eliminates the gap where moisture and mold accumulate in two-piece designs and generally produces a lower-profile, cleaner-looking fixture. A two-piece toilet has a separate tank that bolts to the bowl with a rubber gasket seal. Two-piece models are lighter to ship and easier to carry through doorways during installation since the tank is separate. One-piece models are typically easier to clean and more contemporary in appearance. For a full breakdown, see the one-piece vs two-piece toilet guide.
For most households, the TOTO Drake II is the best elongated bowl toilet in 2026 because no other two-piece elongated model matches its combination of verified 1000 g MaP flush performance and EPA WaterSense 1.28 GPF certification, both backed by TOTO's Tornado Flush technology and CeFiONtect glaze. The American Standard Cadet 3 delivers the same MaP score at a lower price, making it the value pick for buyers who prioritize performance data over brand premium. Buyers who want a skirted one-piece design with maximum flush performance should step up to the TOTO UltraMax II. For modern aesthetics on a mid-range budget, the Woodbridge T-0001 covers the bases with dual flush and a clean skirted profile. The American Standard Champion 4 remains the answer for specific high-clog-risk plumbing scenarios, with the full understanding that its 1.6 GPF disqualifies it from water efficiency rebates. Every model on this list was evaluated using published MaP scores, EPA certification records, manufacturer specifications, and the pattern of aggregated owner reviews.
How we rank & our data sources
We do not run physical lab tests. Rankings are built from published, verifiable data and real owner feedback, never paid placement.
Researched by Marcus Bell · Last updated June 28, 2026 · Our review method

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